Reasons to eat an apple a day

The old adage 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' may be a silly rhyme you heard as a kid, but you might be surprised to learn of apples' serious health benefits.

Health benefits:

*Apples are filled with soluble fiber . This fiber has been shown to reduce intestinal disorders, including diverticulitis, hemorrhoids and possibly some types of cancer. It helps control insulin levels by releasing sugar slowly into the bloodstream. It cleanses and detoxifies, which helps eliminate heavy metals, such as lead and mercury.

*Apple pectin helps reduce cholesterol levels by lowering insulin secretion.

*Eating five apples a week lowered the risk for respiratory diseases like asthma.

*Apples strengthen the heart, quench thirst, lubricate the lungs, decrease mucous and increase body fluids.

*Apple cider vinegar can help prevent the formation of kidney stones.

*Eating apples daily can reduce skin diseases.

*Eating an apple before a meal helped women lose 33 percent more weight than those who didn't.

*An apple has only 50-80 calories and has no fat or sodium.

*Apples are packed with vitamins C, A, and flavonoids and with smaller amounts of phosphorus, iron and calcium.

*Apples provide a source of potassium which may promote heart health.

To get the most from eating apples:
Eat apples with skin to get the nutrients; many of the nutrients are in the skin or just under the skin (most of the vitamin C and vitamin A are in the skin).

Are apple seeds poisonous?

Apple seeds, also called pips, contain a substance called amygdalin, which can release cyanide, a powerful poison, when it comes into contact with digestive enzymes. Whole seeds will pass through your digestive system relatively untouched, but if you chew the seeds you may be exposed to the toxins. One or two will not be harmful, as the body can handle small doses of cyanide, but if you or a child chews and swallows a lot of seeds, you should seek medical attention immediately. A very large helping of apple seeds may be fatal.

Source: mnn.com